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Human Allergies Caused by Dogs

Between 40 and 50 million people in the United States suffer from allergies every year, according to the "University of Maryland Medical Center." Allergic responses result from a person's body releasing histamines, chemicals that work to get rid of allergens. Common allergens include pollen, dust, food, insects and pet dander. Different types of pets can cause people to develop allergic reactions, but most people experience sensitivity to cat and dog allergens, according to an article by Dr. Paul Klenerman and Brian Lipworth for "Netdoctor."

  1. Allergens

    • Your dog's saliva, skin or urine contains pet dander. Your dog releases this allergen when it drools, sheds or urinates. Pet dander can spread to you from the air, surfaces or clothing. You can develop an inflammatory response to these allergens after touching or breathing them. Allergens can stay around for a period of weeks or months, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

    Significance

    • From 15 to 30 percent of people have allergies to pet dander, according to the foundation. Although pet allergies are not genetic, people have a higher chance of getting allergies if their parents have them. Some people may not know they have allergies until they get a dog. Pet allergens pose a potential threat to people with respiratory problems, especially those with sinusitis and asthma, because they can cause these individuals to develop worsened conditions. Some people develop asthma attacks as a result of allergic reactions to pet dander, states the Mayo Clinic.

    Symptoms

    • You may not know that you have allergies if you have cold-like symptoms. Pet allergies cause people to experience sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, a runny and stuffed nose, facial pressure, an itchy nose or throat, trouble sleeping, difficulty breathing, conjunctivitis, headaches, a skin rash, wheezing or hives. People with asthma may develop chest pain, shortness of breath or a hacking cough as a result of pet allergies.

    Diagnosis

    • Your doctor may use a medical history and physical examination to diagnose your condition. Sometimes a physician or allergy specialist needs to perform a skin test to determine what has caused your allergic reaction. During the test, your doctor pricks you and places a substance with pet allergens under your skin to see if your body reacts.

    Treatment

    • You can take certain medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, corticosteroids or leukotriene inhibitors, to relieve symptoms of pet allergies. Cromolyn sodium can reduce the amount of histamine that your body discharges. If you want to keep your body from reacting to pet dander, you can get a series of shots over a three- or six-month time period, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Prevention

    • If you get a pet that does not have fur, such as a fish, or get rid of your dog, you will eliminate the source of your allergies, according to Discovery Health. You can limit allergens in your home by shaving your pet, getting new bedding, replacing carpets, no longer allowing your pet on furniture and wearing a mask when you vacuum or brush your pet.

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